Lettuce - Little Gem (Mini Cos) seeds

Lettuce Little Gem (Mini Cos) - 250 Seeds

Little Gem is just that, a little gem of a Romaine! The tiny head is seemingly delicate but just as crisp as any larger romaine lettuce. Very flavorful!

Their small size makes Little Gems ideal for containers, patios and smaller plots.

Care & Sowing Instructions

Sow approx. 5mm deep direct or in punnets throughout the year, except during extreme hot or cold days or other types of extreme weather. They prefer the FULL SUN position; however, partial shade could greatly extend the lettuce growing season, especially in summer.

The plant emerges in 2-10 days depending upon weather and growing conditions.

Harvest baby leaves in 28 days and full size in 50-70 days.

Keep moist during dry weather. Don't pull the entire plant; keep harvesting leaves to encourage further tender growth.

Protect from the heat with a shade cloth. Likes fertile soil and ample water. Best when picked minutes before your meal.

Sprouting Lettuce Seed in Warm Weather

In warmer temperatures, imbibing or soaking the seeds in water for at least 16 hours before planting in a well-lit area will greatly increase the germination percentages. Red light is the best colour, but many home gardeners won't have access to a non-heating red light and sunlight, or full-spectrum light was found to be almost as good. Soaking the seeds in the dark in warmer conditions decreased their germination rates.

Another technique that has shown to be successful is to soak the seeds in cool water in a well-lit area for 16 - 24 hours. This approach has increased the germination rate up to 97% when planted in warmer conditions. Soaking for less than 16 hours has little to no positive effect on germination.

Other successful methods of extending the season for lettuce in the garden include laying a thick mulch of straw or wood chips on the ground of at least 4-6 cm. This insulates the soil from becoming too hot and drying out too fast and preserving moisture in the soil.

Shading the lettuce plants can give enough of a temperature drop to keep them from bolting, sometimes up to 3 - 5 weeks. Shade can be from a shade cloth on a row cover or hoop type structure or companion planting of tall wide leafed plants such as pumpkin types.

The traditional rule of thumb of "plant early and the plant often" for lettuce can also be said as "plant late and the plant often", but some of the more heat-tolerant varieties, along with soaking in the light and providing some mulch and shade can greatly extend your lettuce season in the garden this year.